We all know that your name matters. Scripture, in fact, tells us:
“A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.” (Proverbs 22:1 NIV)
and further tells us,
“A good name is better than fine perfume, and the day of death better than the day of birth.” (Ecclesiastes 7:1 NIV).
Saturday night was Roger Clemens’ return to baseball. Sort of. He was the opening pitcher for the Sugar Land Skeeters. During the game, an interview was held with another pitcher, Curt Schilling. Schilling was questioned about Clemens’ return & his pitching ability now that Clemens was fifty years old. Schilling also discussed “advice” that he had once been given by Clemens. He shared:
“Remember when you go out on the mound that it is your dad’s name on the back of your jersey.”
Wait! What? This advice was given by a man whose name has been associated with steroid allegations, has been brought up on perjury charges, false statements & obstruction of Congress. Although he was found not guilty in 2008, his name is clouded with these allegations. The man quoting the advice has an equally cloudy name as it is associated with a video game company that now has gone bankrupt, losing taxpayers’ monies & leaving millions in loans unpaid.
Obviously at some time in their lives, each of these men forgot the importance of the name printed on the back of their jersey. Somewhere values were let go of, reputations not regarded & thoughts of their legacy were dropped by the wayside.
Those of us watching in my family room went ballistic hearing the discussion taking place on the TV. But this morning I am gently reminded that I, too, bear a name. Every day. Not only the name of my earthly father but also the name of my Savior. My life is a reflection of the very One Who gave His life so that I may live. Every day, in all that I do & every place I go, I leave an impression of Him behind, be that good or bad.
“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task?” (2 Corinthians 2:15-16 NIV).
Today may I live in the awareness of Whose Name I bear.
